Phosphates from Calcium Reactor Media

[blstravler]

So usually I don’t really need to worry about phosphates. But recently they got up to .1 I like to have them below .05. So no problem I added GFO they came down for a few days (.03) then went right back up. I repeated this cycle 3 times. It keeps going right up again - it’s currently at .08.

The only thing I did recently was replace my CalRx with a larger unit and when I did this I replaced my Media with Caribsea ARM (same as I was previously using) so I checked my effluent and it was outputting .12 Phos at 60ml a minute or almost 23 gal a day on approx 120 total gallons (minus rock) seems like the source to me?

I’ve never tested my effluent Phos before but this is the only thing I have found to be a possible source. Maybe I just got a bad batch of ARM?

Has anyone out these tested other types of media to check Phos output?

With all of this said my SPS seem happy as can be. So I’m not inclined to change anything at the same time I can’t stand using GFO.

 

[vetteguy53081]

It can be media or false reading in which with new CA media in place, recheck in 48 hours

 

[ATAquariums]

CA media does have phosphate in it. Unsure if one brand has more than the other.

 

[blstravler]

It can be media or false reading in which with new CA media in place, recheck in 48 hours

The media has been in the reactor for 4 weeks. Maybe it just needs more time? I checked the effluent Phos 3 times as I was a little shocked and all readings were the same.

 

[vetteguy53081]

The media has been in the reactor for 4 weeks. Maybe it just needs more time? I checked the effluent Phos 3 times as I was a little shocked and all readings were the same.

Depending on bubble count it could be taking longer
You can add a pouch of chemipure blue or elite which will keep phosphate in check

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

You can always measure the phosphate in the effluent, but unless it is super high, the addition from it is smaller than the daily additions from foods, which are usually on the order of 0.05 to 0.2 ppm daily.

 

[blstravler]

Depending on bubble count it could be taking longer
You can add a pouch of chemipure blue or elite which will keep phosphate in check

I have GFO running now - have never used the Chemipure - will have to take a look.

 

[blstravler]

You can always measure the phosphate in the effluent, but unless it is super high, the addition from it is smaller than the daily additions from foods, which are usually on the order of 0.05 to 0.2 ppm daily.

Hi Randy - current effluent Phos is .12 @ 60ml a minute so 23 gal a day on 120ish gal of actual water volume (maybe a little more).

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Hi Randy - current effluent Phos is .12 @ 60ml a minute so 23 gal a day on 120ish gal of actual water volume (maybe a little more).

That's a small addition relative to foods. If the effluent is 0.04 ppm higher than the tank, and you flow in 1/5th of the tank volume daily, that's less than 0.01 ppm per day boost. Foods are higher (typically 0.02 to 0.3 ppm daily):

Aquarium Chemistry: Phosphate And Math: Yes You Need To Understand Both

Foods are by far the most important source of phosphate in most aquariums. In considering whether sources of phosphate other than foods are important, one must carefully look to the actual amounts involved to determine whether other sources are even worth trying to minimize.

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